Classic Mexico Cycles

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Updated 10/29/2006

"Windsor"
     This line of bicycles included many models but is best known for their Cinelli-look Pro and Competition. They were produced in Mexico in the 1970s and early 1980s. The 2 models used a similar frame but primarily differed in the components packages, the Pro with Campagnolo Nuovo Record (pictured) and the Competition with Suntour. Similar models were made bearing the Carabela marque; the parent company being Acer-Mex, a large domestic bicycle producer. The tubing was Columbus and the workmanship generally was good. The lugs and seat stay attachment looked very like Cinelli's top models, but unlike Cinelli, the fork crown was an external box crown. Unfortunately, a few unethical owners have placed Cinelli decals on these bikes!
   Beneath the Pro in the lineup was the Carerra Sport, made of chromoly tubing, sometimes Japanese Tange. Stylistically these bikes differed greatly from the Pro & Competition, having fancier stamped lugs and a more French-look in detail and featured Japanese componentry as well.
    In very recent years, this brand has reappeared on mail-order Chinese made bikes, apparently as a result of a licensing arrangement.

A big view of the Pro model.. On the right, an advertisement with the
unfortunate use of a Colnago bike, decaled as a Windsor, during
Eddy Merckx's epic Hour Record ride in Mexico.

"My first hand knowledge of these bikes were in 1976 when as a member of my university's cycling team 
in Guadalajara Mexico. (Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara) I went to Mexico City to the factory (Windsor, 
aka Acer-Mex) and was custom fitted a Windsor pro bike. The builder of these bikes was a gentleman by the 
name of Remo Vecchi, who had worked for Cinelli in Italy, until he was brought over to Mexico to build these 
bikes. It is this reason I believe why the Windsor Pros are virtual copies of actual Cinelli's. 
   "At this time there was an extreme rivalry between another Mexican Bike company by the name of Benotto. 
It was an opportunity that Acer-Mex wanted to bring recognition for their bikes into the world market since it 
was they who had paid for a large percentage of costs for the world record of  Eddy Merckx in Mexico City. 
Everyone new that Mr. Merckx was not really riding a Mexican bike but an Italian one, but since the general 
public did not know about this (bike swap) Acer-Mex/Windsor just went along selling these bikes (Windsor 
Pros) assuming the public believed he actually did ride a Windsor. Benotto had been trying to get M. Merckx 
to go with them instead of Windsor. But like they say In Mexico "with money dance the 
Dog". It has been thirty years since I graduated from my University and I still have my Windsor 
Pro. It is in mint condition and I still ride it.

           Respectfully
           Daniel Jansen Torres"

Details of the Pro model from old Bicycling Magazine test.

Steve Jorgenson's 23" Pro

Paul Grant's Windsor Carrera Sport bicycle

Larry Black's Windsor Pro